Scout Notes

Who will start for Man City in Gameweek 38+ after win at Watford?

Watford 0-4 Manchester City

  • Goals: Raheem Sterling x2 (£11.9m), Phil Foden (£5.5m), Aymeric Laporte (£6.3m)
  • Assists: Kyle Walker (£5.6m), Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne (£10.7m)
  • Penalties missed: Sterling
  • Penalties saved: Ben Foster (£4.9m)
  • Bonus Points: Sterling x3, Foster x2, Walker x2

Raheem Sterling (£11.9m) has all but cemented himself in Free Hit squads for Gameweek 38+ with his latest double-figure haul.

The premium midfielder’s 20.1% ownership got exactly what they wanted in the big win over Watford, as Sterling secured three attacking returns in a scintillating display and came off just after the hour-mark too.

Between the massive haul and rest time Pep Guardiola was able to give him, Sterling already looks likely to be a relatively sure starter when Norwich come to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

There was already plenty of interest in the Englishman before this latest Premier League outing, his score at Watford the fifth double-digit haul from a possible eight since the restart, but he has also added another feather to his cap. Penalties.

Kevin De Bruyne (£10.7m) has been the spot-kick taker for Manchester City since solving the club’s issues from 12 yards in February.

However, it appears that Sterling’s late charge for the Premier League Golden Boot award might have influenced the pecking order, with the Englishman taking the penalty against Watford which he won. Admittedly, he saw his effort saved by Ben Foster (£4.9m) but was savvy enough to bury the rebound.

“I seen I was on, I scored the first one and knew I was on 18, I knew if I got the second one and I was on the pitch for 90 I knew I had another chance of getting a hat-trick. So I wanted to try and get a hat-trick today but it didn’t happen but I’m really happy with the two goals. A winger to score 20 in the Premier League is a great achievement, we have one more game left and hopefully, I can do it then.” – Raheem Sterling

While Sterling has been involved in eight of Manchester City’s last 16 goals, De Bruyne has had a direct hand in just two, the latest an assist for Aymeric Laporte‘s (£6.3m) headed effort on Tuesday evening.

However, the Belgian was certainly unfortunate not to come away with a bigger score at Watford.

Just before half-time, Bernardo Silva (£7.6m) got to the dead-ball line and cut the ball back for De Bruyne, who was arriving at the back post, but he could only hook it high and wide under pressure from the defence.

The two players swapped roles after the break, De Bruyne pouncing on a loose ball from a Foster save, squaring to Bernardo, who could not find the target.

Then, on the hour-mark, the Belgian won a free-kick in a prime position on the edge of the box. Stepping up, De Bruyne always looks like scoring direct efforts from this sort of range and he went incredibly close against Watford, finding the top corner perfectly, only for Foster to produce a fantastic stop.

De Bruyne would have also received the assist for a Sterling in the second half, were it not rebounded to Foden to convert.

While Sterling was able to get on and off with just over 60 minutes to his name, owners of Gabriel Jesus (£9.9m) might be a little more concerned ahead of Gameweek 38+.

The Brazilian striker, who was arguably a little unfortunate to blank at Watford as a late goal was ruled out for offside, has now played 90 minutes in each of the last two matches in all competitions. That fact, combined with Sterling’s managed minutes at Vicarage Road, could see Jesus drop out of the starting XI against Norwich, especially as his English counter-part can play the centre-forward role and is potentially on a late charge for the Golden Boot.

Similarly, De Bruyne and Phil Foden (£5.5m) also lasting the entirety of the Watford perhaps concerning their respective owners, especially in light of Riyad Mahrez (£8.6m) and David Silva (£7.4m) earning rests in Gameweek 37+. The Algerian came on for Sterling for the last half-hour, while Silva, ahead of a Premier League finale against Norwich was an unused substitute. A start on the last day of the league campaign looks even more assured now, and the Spaniard has double-figure hauls in each of his two most recent home matches.

Silva has played alongside De Bruyne recently, but 90 minutes in each of the last two in all competitions could be enough for Guardiola to consider benching the Belgian.

Foden’s case is harder to assess, especially after he stole in to convert Sterling’s rebounded shot in the second half. Manchester City’s number 47 got his rest in the FA Cup semi-final, playing just 24 minutes of the defeat to Arsenal and has started all but one home Premier League match since the return of football.

With Jesus also getting sufficient game-time to place a question mark over his starting berth, there is a chance the Manchester City front-three could feature Sterling as the spearhead, leaving room for Mahrez and Foden either side.

Anyone looking to Guardiola’s defence for the final Gameweek of the season were given a helping hand by the Manchester City manager.

After he had found the net in the second half, Laporte was handed a brief resting period at the end of the Watford win, replaced by John Stones (£5.3m) in the 74th minute. 

That should see the premium centre-back start against Norwich, who have conceded more goals from set-plays than any other side this season…

“Laporte had a tough tough injury important player for us a lot of time out. a big guy, needed more time to regain condition. today was one of the best games he has played int he last month.” – Pep Guardiola

Watford XI (4-3-3): Foster; Femenía, Dawson, Kabasele, Mariappa; Hughes, Doucouré (Chalobah 82′), Cleverley; Pereyra (Masina 87′), Deeney (Welbeck 67′), Sarr.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Laporte (Stones 74′), Garcia, Walker (Zinchenko 64′); De Bruyne, Rodrigo, B Silva; Sterling (Mahrez 64′), Jesus, Foden.

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FPL Lessons Learned From Gameweek 37+

1,882 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Edalock
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH first draft
    Martinez (Pope)
    Bardsley, Aurier, Pieters (Branthwaite, Williams)
    Dsilva, Sterling, KDB, Martial, Salah
    Kane, Ings (4.2)
    0.6itb

    Still feeling insecure... Thoughts please

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nice mate!! I’d be inclined to play Pope instead of Martínez tho

    2. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      you only need one of Martinez and Pope IMO, and I'd rather have Bruno than KDB. I'd be tempted by Jimenez over Ings (I own both though...)

    3. ItOnlyTook9Years
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Who are you going to captain?

      1. Edalock
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sterling

  2. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bottomed:

    Am I good to go for the final gameweek? Any help appreciated.

    Pope
    Trent - Aurier - Egan
    Salah - KDB - Dilva (c) - Fernandes
    Rashford - Ings - Jesus

    Subs: Hendo, Fernandez, Hayden & Holgate.

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      looks good enough! hard to offer advice without knowing FTs+Bank - I'd do KDB to Sterling if you could

  3. ItOnlyTook9Years
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Failed every captain choice since the restart, apart from Salah when I missed the deadline. And basically dropped out of the top 10k because of it.

    I really need my TC to pay off, Benteke a good choice?

  4. Cheeto__Bandito
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who Scores more?

    A) Kane (Captain Mahrez)
    B) Sterling -4 (captain sterling)

    1. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

  5. FreddyP3
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH draft. 0.0itb

    Pope (fodder)
    TAA Robbo Pieters (fodder fodder)
    Salah Sterling Dilva Mahrez Son
    Kane Greenwood (Nketiah)

    Bit risky going so much fodder but what do you guys think? Gut feeling says all will start.

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Probably go Rich instead of Son and upgrade fodder

  6. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Captain Sterling (head) or Dilva (heart)?

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      biggest question of the week, might just toss a coin myself

    2. FreddyP3
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m going Sterling

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Going Sterling.

      Look below for my latest idea after advise from Foo Fighter

  7. Park the bus
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    real feel good end to the season. having my best ever campaign in my 10th year and hoping i can break into the top 100 for the first time (live rank has me 180ish!). also bringing in David Silva for his final game who was in my first ever FPL team in 2010 so hoping for big points from him this weekend to see me over the line!

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Best of luck!

    2. vincentwsho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Congrats!

  8. yer old da
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Barring injuries tomorrow I’m set on the following FH side. Banking on a goalless draw in the Burnley-Brighton match and I’ll be captaining a Citizen.

    3-5-2:

    Martinez
    Bardsley, Pieters, Lamptey
    Salah, Sterling, KDB, Bruno, D Silva
    Kane, Ings

    Subs: Greenwood, Williams, Thomas

  9. oi no professionals
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pick one for GW38:
    A. Jesus
    B. Aubameyang
    C. Kane

    1. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

    2. FreddyP3
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

      A too much rotation risk and B nothing to play vs side with everything to play for

    3. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

  10. Obi Wan Elokobi
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is anyone tempted by Laporte at all? Going Sterling Silva and Laporte allows me to get Son in midfield instead of Jesus KDB or Mahrez

    1. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Good idea- like it

    2. Park the bus
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      too mch cash for someone not 100% to start and with a low ceiling compared to other City assets. avoid.

  11. cravencottage
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    KDB, Pulisic > Sterling, Foden ( -4) ? Yes or No

    1. FreddyP3
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not if you are planning to start Foden

    2. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Do you think that Foden will start?

      1. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Unlikely. Dilva to start in his last League game

        1. wulfrunian
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Agreed.I think i will make Foden->DSilva.

          1. Tempestic
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            What I’ve done

    3. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not for Foden

  12. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Fellas

    Martinez
    Robertson pieters aurier
    Kdb sterling dilva salah bruno
    Kane greenwood

    Rate?

  13. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling(c) and 62 points with 3 to go.A rise from 1.3k in gw31 to 400k.So many problems in my/our life/lives,at least fpl today makes me happy.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nice I have gone from 200k to 20k

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This is even better mate.All in for top10k?Though i think that top 20k is the new top10k.

    2. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      oh you meant from 1.3m?

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        My mistake,yes.

  14. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Spanner in the works!!

    Was all set on Digne & Vardy to Kane & Pieters then someone threw me a swerve ball idea?

    Keep Digne, remove KDB for D Silva big differential, swap Stevens for Aurier or VVD & still get Kane for a hit

    So is Kane worth a hit?

    Can you see a better use of 2 FT?

    Swapping out Digne & Vardy to get this,

    Ederson
    Digne, #VVD/Aurier, Boly,
    Salah, #D Silva, Fernandes, C Sterling, Martial,
    Ings, #Kane

    Button, Greenwood, Lamptey, Taylor

    .2

    Go for hit or not?

    1. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      hit it and keep Digne get Aurier and get Kane and get Dilva

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers,

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for the idea, better to have a differential to go for it on last game?

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I reckon Aurier/VVD, Dilva and Kane for a hit is a good deal.

          Better than having Stevens in your defence vs Ings 😉

          Dilva's last EPL match is worth a -4 on it's own.

  15. boogle
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    This look ok for final gw?

    Martinez
    Digne Bardsley Pieters
    Sterling(c) Mahrez Dsilva Salah Antonio
    Kane Auba

    Long Thomas Williams

  16. Max City
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    In FH:

    A) Mahrez Rashford Tarkowski
    B) Bruno Jesus Bardford

    Already have Sterling, Dilva and Pope

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A. Mahrez nailed and Rash is better away

      1. Max City
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers!

  17. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    62 pts and up to 1.1k. TC Raheem in 38 to get that triple digit rank! Big week ahead

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Congrats mate!

  18. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Last midfield spot on FH:

    Martial or Bruno or Antonio?

    1. OleGGMU
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      wait for after their game to decide, regarding antonio specifically, great pick but with safety guaranteed and Haller fit again, best to see how selection and formation go tomorrow before deciding on him. Bruno has the possibility of pens and is on set pieces but martial has been hauling away so yeah flip a coin or just let performances decide

  19. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Need Chelsea to score tomorrow, Mane blank, Fernandes blank

  20. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which one of these 4?

    A. Mahrez
    B. Antonio
    C. Richarlison
    D. Son

    Mindful that everyone will end up template.

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A or D.Propably A.

  21. OleGGMU
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    In a bit of a dilemma

    Pope
    TAA, VVD, Doh
    Salah, KDB, Dsilva, Bruno, Mart
    Vardy, Ings
    Bench : Buts, Greenwood, CTaylor, Robinson
    0.4itb

    Only option is Vardy to Jesus -4
    On TC and would prefer Kane/Sterling but that requires a -8
    I could just stick but Vardy has been poor against the big teams this season ,barring a goal against city earlier in the season, and Leic just have shown the kind of "fire" and fight I expected of them throughout this restart.

    Advice really appreciated

  22. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    With apologies to those who commented previously, but Sterling today is making me rethink. FWIW - gw38 will be my TC vs. rival's FH.

    1) Vardy, Pulisic > Rashford, Dilva -- TC Salah
    2) V, P, Doherty > Kane, Dilva, Pieters (-4 -- TC Kane)
    3) V, P, KDB > Ings, Sterling, Dilva (-4 -- TC Raz)

    1. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Scrap the transfer plans.

      Pick them back up this time tomorrow.

      Gameweek isn’t over, you’ll rethink again

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Hahahaha. So true. Guess I needed that sanity check.

  23. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How does this sound?

    Doherty, Foden, Willian > Pieters, Dilva, Son (-4)

    Sterling (C)

  24. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martial (c)
    Bruno ( hoping for a blank tbh)
    Greenwood
    Salah

    Please do good tomorrow!

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Same players left. I am expecting at least 35 points..

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I hope Chuck!

  25. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Will enjoy my 14K rank rise to 11K now before Martial’s haul sends me back to 20K

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yeh martial is definitely going to send to you back to where you started from...

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        send you*

    2. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Martial haul has the potential to send me to 2nd in ML. Not looking forward to it.

  26. Max City
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Rashford Tarkowski
    B) Aubameyang Bardford

    Already have Kane and no other United player.
    With nothing to fight for, can we trust any Arsenal player in GW 38+?

  27. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Dsilva and Kane are essential in my eyes next week but it’s so hard to get them in!

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Im happy with my attack for 38 (not fh)
      Sterling, Martial, Bruno, Dilva, Salah
      (K)ane, Rash

      Not much else I really wanted

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Couldn’t get much better you are going to do great this week my friend!

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          hope so, bloody mini league.
          I was like 50 in front pre corona, then this guysomehow pipped me and got 70 in front, disaster!!
          Narrowed it down in the last couple of weeks, he is now only 10 in front. Hoping to regain my lead, his team is pretty weak tbh seems to have been riding some wave of luck.
          This week he clearly does Puli>Sterling thinking I dont have Sterling lol

          Anyways, gl to you to. Hope Martial bangs tomorrow

  28. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    No player has created more chances in the league for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta than Mesut Ozil. He last played on March 7.

    1. DRAFTSNAKE
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No player has had more second chances than Mesut Ozil. It's a ridiculous standoff but his personality is obviously akin to bumdregs.

  29. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best combo on a FH?

    A) Ings + 4.0 def (Branthwaite)
    B) VVD + Greenwood

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A for me.

    2. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tough one, I'd probably go B

  30. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Worth minus 8

    Martial >Son

    Foden > DSilva

    Ings >. Nketiah

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No.